Midtown Memphis
Your Neighborhood Guide
McLean Manor sits at the center of one of America's most vibrant urban neighborhoods. Here's everything worth knowing — from legendary BBQ to world-class museums — all within minutes of your door.
Dining & Drinks
Imagine Vegan Cafe
A beloved Midtown institution. Comfort food done entirely plant-based — the mac and cheese and burgers are legendary.
Babalu Tacos & Tapas
Lively Latin-inspired tapas and tacos in the heart of Overton Square. Great cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere.
Tsunami
A Midtown classic for Pacific Rim cuisine. Elegant, intimate, and consistently excellent.
Bounty on Broad
Farm-to-table Southern cooking in a warm, neighborhood setting. One of Memphis's most celebrated restaurants.
The Beauty Shop
Housed in Priscilla Presley's former beauty salon. Creative American cuisine in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Slider Inn
The quintessential Midtown bar — a converted house with a sprawling patio, cold beer, and great sliders.
Memphis BBQ
Central BBQ
The go-to for Memphis-style dry-rub ribs and pulled pork. Multiple locations — the Midtown spot is closest.
Cozy Corner
A Memphis institution since 1977. Cornish hen, ribs, and bologna sandwiches in a no-frills setting that's all about the smoke.
Payne's Bar-B-Q
Cash only, no-frills, and absolutely worth it. The chopped pork sandwich with slaw is one of the best bites in the city.
Arts & Culture
Overton Park
100 acres of old-growth forest right at your doorstep. Home to the Memphis Zoo, Brooks Museum of Art, and the Overton Park Shell — where Elvis gave his first paid performance.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Tennessee's oldest and largest art museum, set inside Overton Park. Permanent collection spans 5,000 years of art history.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Built on the original site of Stax Records, where Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. & the MGs recorded. An essential Memphis experience.
National Civil Rights Museum
Built at the Lorraine Motel, site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. One of the most important museums in America.
Graceland
Elvis Presley's home and the second most-visited private residence in America. A pilgrimage for music lovers.
Coffee & Mornings
City & State
A beautifully designed coffee shop and general store in Cooper-Young. Great espresso, local goods, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Otherlands Coffee Bar
A Midtown institution with a bohemian soul. Mismatched furniture, strong coffee, and a community bulletin board that tells you everything about the neighborhood.
Bluff City Coffee
Specialty coffee in a beautifully restored historic building. One of the best cups in Memphis.
Shopping & Strolling
Cooper-Young District
Memphis's most beloved neighborhood for independent boutiques, bookshops, vintage stores, and galleries. Perfect for an afternoon wander.
Overton Square
A revitalized entertainment district with restaurants, bars, a live music venue, and the Playhouse on the Square theater.
Burke's Book Store
Memphis's oldest independent bookstore, in business since 1875. A true neighborhood treasure.
A Few Local Tips
Overton Park Shell hosts 40+ free concerts a year — check the schedule before you arrive.
Memphis BBQ is a religion. Dry rub vs. wet sauce is a real debate — try both.
Rideshares are easy and cheap. Downtown is 8 minutes; Graceland is 20.
The FedEx planes are part of the Memphis soundtrack — they fly in waves, mostly at night.
Where You'll Be
309 N. McLean Blvd
Midtown Memphis is a tree-lined, walkable neighborhood with a strong sense of community and a deep cultural identity. You're a 5-minute walk from Overton Park, minutes from Cooper-Young and Overton Square, and a short ride to Downtown and Beale Street.